Penguins’ Ben Kindel May Return to Practice After Diagnosis

WHO:

NHL.com - Ben Kindel is a 19-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins forward.

NHL.com - Kyle Dubas, the Penguins’ general manager, discussed Kindel’s condition and possible return to practice.

NHL.com - Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson said, “Happy everything is alright,” and said Kindel was present and in good spirits.

NHL.com - Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said Kindel’s situation put the team’s recent struggles in perspective and that teammates aimed to support one another.

Sportskeeda - Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said Kindel was diagnosed with a vasovagal episode.

WHAT:

NHL.com - Kindel lost consciousness on the team plane after experiencing vasovagal syncope, described as a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure that reduces blood flow to the brain.

NHL.com - Kindel received oxygen, the plane made an emergency medical landing, and he was taken to the University of Utah medical center.

NHL.com - Kindel was cleared to travel to Pittsburgh and placed on injured reserve. Dubas said Kindel would undergo increased testing and could resume training if there were no complications.

NHL.com - Dubas said the team hoped to complete testing and have Kindel return to practice, adding, “we'll see how everything goes before then.”

NHL.com - Dubas said Kindel had no known prior history of vasovagal episodes and that the team would investigate what triggered this one.

NHL.com - Kindel had four points—two goals and two assists—in nine games in his second season. Pittsburgh selected him 11th overall in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft; he recorded 35 points, including 17 goals and 18 assists, in 77 games as a rookie.

NHL.com - Kindel played 18:53 in Pittsburgh’s 5-4 loss to the Utah Mammoth.

NHL.com - Dubas said Kindel was “very clearly shaken” when they met, and that the team would support him with its resources.

NHL.com - Pittsburgh canceled practice after a prolonged travel day. The Penguins were 3-6-1 and had lost eight of their previous eight games, going 1-6-1; they were outscored 21-11 during a four-game road trip, losing each game in regulation.

NHL.com - Pittsburgh was scheduled to face the Florida Panthers at PPG Paints Arena and host the Nashville Predators in its next two games. Kindel was expected to miss at least those games.

NHL.com - Dubas said, “No. 1, take care of our people. And No. 2, put them in a good place to perform.”

WHERE:

NHL.com - The episode occurred on the Penguins’ plane after it departed Salt Lake City International Airport; the emergency landing led to Kindel’s transport to the University of Utah medical center.

Sportskeeda - The plane had departed Salt Lake City when Kindel collapsed.

NHL.com - Kindel was cleared to travel to Pittsburgh; the Penguins’ home arena is PPG Paints Arena.

WHEN:

NHL.com - The episode occurred about 10 minutes after the plane departed Salt Lake City International Airport.

NHL.com - Dubas said the team hoped Kindel could return to practice on Sunday or Monday, subject to test results and his condition.

NHL.com - The article said Kindel could potentially return against the Mammoth at home on Oct. 29.

Sportskeeda - Dubas shared the diagnosis on Thursday.

WHY:

NHL.com - Dubas said there was no known prior history of vasovagal episodes, and the cause of Kindel’s episode had not yet been determined.

HOW:

NHL.com - The vasovagal episode involved a sudden decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, reducing blood flow to the brain; Kindel received oxygen before the plane made an emergency medical landing.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel lost consciousness aboard the team plane after a vasovagal episode, prompting an emergency medical landing and hospital evaluation. The 19-year-old collapsed about 10 minutes after the flight left Salt Lake City; he received oxygen and was taken to the University of Utah medical center. General manager Kyle Dubas said Kindel had no known history of these episodes, and the cause remains unclear. Kindel was cleared to travel to Pittsburgh and placed on injured reserve while he undergoes additional testing. Dubas said he could return to practice if there are no complications, but he is expected to miss at least the Penguins’ next two games. Defenseman Erik Karlsson said Kindel was present and in good spirits, while captain Sidney Crosby said the situation put the team’s recent struggles in perspective. Kindel has four points in nine games this season.